CR7's trusted lieutenant Pepe played with him in Real Madrid

CR7's trusted lieutenant Pepe played with him in Real Madrid

CR7's trusted lieutenant Pepe played with him in Real Madrid

Portugal defender Pepe has retired from football, the 41-year-old said on Thursday. Former Real Madrid star Pepe's last game was at the Euro 2024, where Portugal were defeated by France on penalties in the quarter-finals.  Pepe had become the oldest player to appear at a European Championship finals tournament.

Pepe made 141 appearances for his country, winning the Euros in 2016, and spent 10 seasons at Real Madrid where he won three LaLiga titles and three Champions League trophies, as well as two FIFA Club World Cups. Pepe joined the Spanish side in 2007 from FC Porto and returned to the Portuguese club in 2019 where he remained until the end of his career, winning four Primeira Liga titles across his two spells at the club.

Spain legend Sergio Ramos and Pepe operated at the heart of Los Blancos defence for many seasons when Barcelona was in its prime with the likes of Xavi, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta in its ranks. 

"I want to thank God for giving me the wisdom to be able to continue my journey," an emotional Pepe said in a video on social media which looked back on his career. "I can't help but also thank all the presidents who bet and believed in me to be able to perform my work. To all the employees of all the clubs I've been to, who are the soul and essence of the clubs and the national team.

"And I want to thank everyone in the background. I want to leave a thank you and a hug of gratitude for all of you. And thank you all very much."

Pepe is a close friend of Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo.